Gokak fan-throated lizard
The Gokak fan-throated lizard (Sitana gokakensis) is a cryptic agamid lizard found exclusively in India. This species is characterized by its darker head, brown dorsum with blue and pink markings, and a distinctive dewlap. It inhabits the open, xeric, rocky terrain of the Gokak plateau.
Key Facts
- ›Endemic to the Gokak plateau in Karnataka, India.
- ›Possesses a dark brown dorsum with blue and dark pink coloration.
- ›Features a yellow iris and a cream-colored tympanum.
- ›The dewlap is white with brown-speckled scales, featuring dark blue coloration on the lower jaw.
- ›Inhabits open, rocky, xeric habitats dominated by thorny and dwarf succulent species.
- ›Breeding males have been observed between may and August.
Gokak Fan-Throated Lizard
India
Rocky Habitat, Xeric Environment, Open Terrain
- Darker Head Compared To Its Body.
- Dark Brown Dorsum With Blue and Dark Pink Coloration.
- Yellow Iris With A Cream-Colored Tympanum.
- Dorsal Side Features Five Black Blotches.
- Brick-Red Flanks With Cream-Colored Enlarged Scales On the Flank and Thigh.
- Off-White Belly With Brown Speckles.
- Dark Brown Limbs With Red Suffusion Dorsally and Cream-Colored Ventrally.
- Lower Jaw Is Mostly Cream With Dark Blue Coloration Extending To the Midline of the Dewlap.
- Dewlap Is White With Brown-Speckled Scales.
- Breeding Males Observed During Specific Months.
About Gokak fan-throated lizard
The Gokak fan-throated lizard, scientifically known as Sitana gokakensis, is a species of agamid lizard that is endemic to India. This lizard is recognized for its cryptic nature and is found exclusively within the specific ecological niche of the Gokak plateau.
Description and Habitat
Sitana gokakensis exhibits distinctive physical characteristics, including a head that is darker than its body. Its dorsum is a dark brown, accented by patches of blue and dark pink coloration. The lizard's eyes feature a yellow iris, complemented by a cream-colored tympanum. A key identifying feature is the dewlap, which is white with brown-speckled scales and displays dark blue coloration extending from the lower jaw. The flanks are brick-red, with enlarged cream-colored scales on the flank and thigh. The belly is typically off-white and speckled with brown.
This species is exclusively known from the open, rocky habitat of the Gokak plateau. The environment is xeric, characterized by thorny vegetation and dwarf succulent plants. The rocky terrain and specific flora create a specialized habitat that this lizard has adapted to.
Distribution and Ecology
The Gokak fan-throated lizard's distribution is strictly limited to the Gokak plateau in the Belagavi district of Karnataka, India. Samples collected outside this plateau, such as from Nipani, Ramdurga, and Bagalkot, have been identified as a different species, S. laticeps. The Ghataprabha River, a rocky waterway, is considered a potential geographical barrier that helps to isolate the population of Sitana gokakensis.
Breeding activity for this species has been observed during the months of May and August. These periods likely represent optimal times for reproduction within its specific habitat, influenced by seasonal changes.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the scientific name of the Gokak fan-throated lizard?
The scientific name of the Gokak fan-throated lizard is Sitana gokakensis. This binomial nomenclature identifies it as a distinct species within the Sitana genus.
Where is the Gokak fan-throated lizard found?
Sitana gokakensis is endemic to the Gokak plateau, located in the Belagavi district of Karnataka, India. Its distribution is specifically tied to this unique geographical area.
What does the Gokak fan-throated lizard look like?
It has a darker head than its body, with a dark brown dorsum and blue and dark pink markings. The iris is yellow, and the dewlap is white with brown speckles, adorned with dark blue on the lower jaw.
What kind of habitat does the Gokak fan-throated lizard prefer?
This lizard is found in open, rocky habitats characterized by a xeric environment. These areas are typically dominated by thorny plants and dwarf succulent species.
When do male Gokak fan-throated lizards breed?
Breeding males of Sitana gokakensis have been observed during the months of May and August. These periods likely coincide with favorable environmental conditions for reproduction.
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